Brake



E. R. PRICE Oct. 14, 1941.

BRAKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 4, 1938 R Y WZW Em [P A 1% l- R n v F- E. R. PRICE Oct. 14, 1941.

BRAKE Filed April 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ME mmwm m Rm L R G Y Patented on. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT orries marl-lee, southnenmlnd amignortolendix Products Corporation, South Bend, Ind, a doeporation of Indiana Application April 4, ms, Serial No. 19am (cl. las -152) 18Claims.

This invention relates to brakes and more particularly to a control valve and hookup for vacuum power brakes of the vacuum suspended typ The vacuum suspended type of operation of vacuum power brakes has been found to be more rapid and in many other respects more desirable than the atmospheric type and has consequently become increasingly popular.

At the same time in both atmospheric and eliminating the bulky and complicated lever system. Consequently, it is an object of this invention to provide a valve reaction system for vacuum suspended vacuum power brake systems. My copending application Serial No. 282,089, flied June 30, 1939, is a division of this application and relates more particularly to the control valve per se. 1

Another object is to provide a novel valve for producing such a reaction.

' A third object is to provide a simple, compact and economical hookup employing my novel valve.

A further object is to provide a valve and hookup which reduces the pedal travel necessary to operate the valve.

A still further object is to provide a power brake hookup permitting manual application of the brakes through strong, dependable connections external of the valve structure.

The above and other objects and desirable particular arrangements of parts will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description of one embodiment of my inventionshown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of my novel brake system employing my novel valve;

Figure 2 is. an elevational view of my novel valve and valve carrier with parts broken away in section to show the arrangement of the levers; and

' sure responsive element in the valve, thereby Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the valve on the line 2-3 of Figure 2.v

Referring now to Figure 1. there is shown a brake system operable by means oi' a pedal *II pivoted at l2 on some rigid part of the automobile chassis. The pedal II is provided with the usual return spring ll. Plvoted' at It on the pedal llisone endofabrakerod ",theother end of which is'connected to a brake valve carrier 18 carrying my novel-valve 2|.

Another brake rod 22 extends from the rear of the carrier II and is pivotally' connected at 2| to a cross-arm 26 centrally mounted ona cross-shaft -21 rockable in bearings (not shown) on the vehicle chassis. The other end of the crowarm 28 is pivotally connected by a pin and slot lost motion device 2' tea piston rod 3| and piston 32.01 the vacuum suspended vacuum brake cylinder 3. The cylinder 34 is swingably connected at 3! to a bracket 38 rigidly mounted on the chassis oi the vehicle.

The cross-shalt 21 is provided with a second croa-arm I having its ends connected at- 42 and M respectively to front and rear brake rods 48 and 42 which extend to the front and rear of the vehicle and are connected to arms 5| on cross-shafts 52. The cram-shafts 52 have pairs of additionalarmsllconnectedbylinksflto brake levers ll adapted to rotate cams II and spread brake shoes 02 to apply the brakes which are designated generally by the numerals I4. I do not, however, desire to be limited to the last described structure in any way inasmuch as an infinite number of systems of brake connections from a cross-shaft have been devised.

The usual internal combustion engine 00 has the usual intake manifold it which provides a source of vacuum power. A vacumn conduit Ill provided with a check valve 12 extends therefrom and is formed with a branch Ila which is connected to my novel valve 22 and with a branch 'llb which is connected to the rearward end of the vacuum power cylinder 2|. Another conduit ll, which may be called the controlled pressure conduit, is connected between my novel valve 22 and the forward end of the vacuum power cylinder 32.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2, my

novel valve carrier 12 comprises two members I! and I8 both of which are preferably forked, the rearward member ll to receive between its iurcations the member I! and the 'member ll to receive between its iurcations one end of a valve lever 20.

The outer ends of the two members It and I8 are threadedly connected to the ends of the brake rods I 8 and 22 respectively and adjacent their inner ends the two members are connected to each other by means of'a pin 82 extending tions. The holes 84 in the members 18 are larger than the pin 82 to provide lost motion for operation of the valve while the holes 83 in the. member I8 at the pin 82 closely.

. through drilled holes in all of the said i'urca- 6 sasaaov tance approximately equal to the distance be-' tween the valve seats Ill and H2 whereby both valves may be moved to a position in which both are substantially closed.

A coiled spring III is compressed between the casing member I82 andthe diaphragm I28 to urge the plunger I38 to the left and open the vacuum valve I44 to admit vacuum to the controlled pressure chamber Ill and therethrough The valve lever 88 is pivotally connected at 10 by means of t port [1| t t controlled pregone end to the carrier member II by a bin 88 and is fulcrumed intermediate its ends but near the said one end on a pin 88 iournaled in ears 88 projecting downwardly below the member sure conduit I4 and the forward end of the vacuum cylinder 34. Thus it will be seen that. since the other end of the cylinder is at all times connected to vacuumthrough the conduit 'Ilb,

I8 from the furcations of the member I8. The 38 th vacuum pressures on opposite sides of the other end of the lever 88 pivotally receives at 82 a clevis 84 connected to a valve push rod 38. My novel valve 28 consists of three casin shell members 88, I88 and I82 of which the the carrier member 18 and secured thereto by means such as the bolts I88 or the like.

The casing members 88 and I88 are Joined topiston 32 are balanced, whereby the normal return springs of the brakes (not shown) move the piston 32 to the left and cause the brakes to be released.

. W member is prmded with an integral In operation, the brakes are applied in the bracket I84 extending between the furcations of usual way by depressing the pedal I8. This puts tension between the brake rods I6 and 22 cansing the valve carrier members I8 and I8 to move apart to the extent of the lost motion provided gether by machine screws I81 to form between by the pm a ammhe1m1e" v them a valve and controlled pressure chamber I88 provided with opposed valve seats H0 and H2, one of which is formed on each member.

The valve seat 8 surrounds a port leading to an air chamber II4 formed in the casing member 88 and which communicates with the atmosphere through ports II8 and-an air cleaner II8 secured in annular relationship to the casin member 88. The member 38 is also formed with a port I28 leading from the controlled pressure 83' member Ill and which communicates through a port I24 with the vacuum conduit 18a.

The casing members I88 and I82 ar secured together by machine screws I28 and have clamped between them the periphery of a diaphragm I28. Recesses I38 and I32 formed in the members I80 and I82 respectively form diaphragm chambers adjacent the opposite sides of the diaphragm I28. The chamber I38 commmiicates with the vacuum chamber I22 by means of a passage I34 and the chamber I32 communicates with the controlled pressure chamber I88 by means of a central longitudinal bore I38 formed in a valve plunger I38.

The valve plunger I38 is slidably mounted and extends coaxially through the casing members 38 and I Ill. The right-hand end as seen in Figure 3 is secured to the center of the diaphragm I28 and the left-hand end extends out of the casing member 98 and is formed with a socket I40 receiving the end of the valve push rod 36.

Within the valve chamber I08 are a pair of valve discs I42 and I 44 slidably mounted on the plunger I38 and urged apart into contact with The relativemotion between the members I8 and I8 swings the valve lever 88 in a counterclockwise direction about its fulcrum pin 88 and. through the clevis 84', and push rod 34, moves the valve plunger I38 to the right, 'flrst closing the vacuum valve I44 and then opening the air valve I42 to admit air to the controlled pressure chamber I I8.

The air in the controlled pressure chamber I88 passes through the port I23 and the conduit 14 to the forward end of the power cylinder 34 and forces the piston 32 to the right, rotating the cross-shaft 21 in a counterclockwise direction to apply the brakes through the previously described linkages.

At the same time the air passes into the diaphragm chamber I32 through the passage I38 and exerts a force on the diaphragm proportional to the pressure admitted. This force tends 45 to move the valve plunger back towards-its ori pressed as long as brake applying movement of the respective valve seats I I8 and H2 by a coiled spring I 45 compressed between their inner faces. Adjacent the outer faces of the valve discs I42 and I44 are abutments I46 and I48 secured to the plunger I38 and adapted to lift the respective valves from their seats when the plunger is the cylinder 34 is continued else the movement of the brake rod 22 will be more rapid than that of the rod I6. whereupon the members of the valve carrier I8 will move toward each other and permit the valve to move into lapped" position to prevent further brake applying movement.

An increase in pedal pressure will shift the valve to admit more air until the air pressure on the diaphragm again balances the pedal pressure, and similarly a slight release of pressure will permit the valve to shift in the opposite direction to evacuate some of the air until the air pressure on the diaphragm I28 is again in balance with the pedal pressure.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a simple and compact arrangement of power brake means which provides the usual "followup and in addition an accurately proportional. reaction or feel on the brake pedal.

Also it will be noted that, if the vacuum system should fail, the brakes 64 may be applied manually without placing any undue strain on delicate valve parts. inasmuch as the forces would berslland'|landthe be transmitted directiyw the memalso observed that the novel valve be through the unequaispacing oi the will lever II,

and

, carrier members, whereby adequate valve motion is provided without much loss. in

pedal travel, and at the same time the lever acts in the opposite direction. to multiply the reactive force on the diaphragm ill whereby 10' an adequate reaction may be obtained by the use or a smaller and consequently more durable While only one embodiment of my invention has tion to be limited to that embodiment or otherwigs than by the terms the appended claims.

1. A vacuum braking system comprising brake tiplies the-relative mobeen described in detail, it is not my intenin operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions oi the brake rod comprising two parts having a-limlted relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and a valve operably engaged'by said lever and secured to one of said parts, said valve having a control element actuated by said lever, and a pressure responsive element constructed and arranged to react on the said -control element to oppose movement thereof toward the brake "on position.

' 2. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate 40 portions or the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever actuable by relative movement or said two parts, and a valve operably engaged by said lever and secured to one or said parts, said valve having a control element actuated by said lever and a pressure responsive element subjected to the pressure transmitted by the valve to said power cylinder and constructed andarranged to oppose movement of the control element toward o brake "on position.

3. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from 5 said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one of said parts, said valve having a control rod actuable by said lever and a pressure responsive element constructed and arranged to portions or thebrake rod comprising two'parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and

a valve operably encased by said lever secured to one of said parts, said valve having a plurality 'oi Poppet valve elements and a pressure responsive element subjected to the pressure transmitted by the valve to said power cylinder and constructed and arranged to oppose movement oi the valve toward brake "on" position, and the pivots of said valve lever on said carrier parts being at one end or the lever and closely ad-. Jacent said end and the engagement or said lever with the valve being at its other end whereby relative movement between the carrier parts is multiplied at said valve.

5. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts. and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one or said parts, said valve including a control element actuated by said lever, a plurality of poppet valve elements controlled in part by movements of said control element, and a pressure responsive element constructed and arranged to react on the said control element to oppose movement thereof toward the brake "on" position. a v

6. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake .rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one of said parts, said valve having a control rod actuated by said lever and a pressure responsive element subjected to the pressure transmitted by the valve to said power cylinder and connected to said control rod to oppose movement of the control rod toward brake on" position.

I 7. A vacuum braking system comprising a source 01' vacuum, brakes, brake operating linkage, a power cylinder connected to said linkage,

a conduit extending from said source of vacuumto one end or said power cylinder, a brake pedal, a brake rod connecting said pedal to said linkage, a control valve interposed between separate portions of said brake rod and operable by the separation thereof, a conduit extending from said react on the control rod to oppose movement thereof toward the brake "on position, and the pivots of said valve lever on said carrier parts being at one end of the lever and closely adjacent said end andthe engagement of said lever with the valve being at its other end whereby relative movement between the carrier parts is multiplied at said valve.

4. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said link- 7 source of vacuum, brakes, brake operating link- -3 aseabrakepem abrakerodextending rrom' said pedal and operably connected to said link]- age, a valve carrier interposed between separate age, a power cylinder connected tosaid linkage.

.a conduit extending from said source of vacuum aration thereof, a conduite'xtending from said source oil vacuum to said valve, and a conduit extending from said valve to the other end or said power cylinder, said valve being operable to admit atmospheric air to said last named conduit to apply the brakes and being provided with a control element for operating the valve and an element responsive to the pressure of said air to oppose the operation or said control element, and said control valve being mounted on a valve carrier comprising two parts connected to the brake rod portionsand having a limited relative movement. s

9. A vacuum braking system comprising a source or vacuum, brakes, brake operating linkage, a power cylinder connected to said linkage, a-conduit extending from said source of vacuum to one end of said power cylinder, a brake pedal, a brake rod connecting said pedal to said linkage, a control valve interposed between separate portions of said brake rod and operable by the separation thereof, a conduit extending from said source of vacuum to said valve, and a conduit extending from said valve to the other end of said power cylinder, said valve being operable to admit atmospheric air to said last named conduit to apply the brakes and being provided with a control rod and an element connected to said control rod, said last named element being responsive to the pressure of said air to oppose the operation of said valve, said control valve being mounted on a valve carrier comprising two parts connected to the brake rod portions and having a limited relative movement, and said valve being operated by a valve lever pivoted on said carrier parts at spaced points and engageable with said valve at a third point.

10. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and a. valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one of said parts, said valve being- Iurther characterized as formed with an air chamber, a vacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber, air and vacuum ports for the respective communication of the first two chambers with the third, valve means controlled by relative movement 01' said two parts'ior alternately opening and closing said ports, means biasing the valve means to open the vacuum port, and means responsive to the pressure in the controlled pressure chamber for opposing movement of said valve means to open the air port.

11. A vacuum braking system comprising brake, operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum' power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured a paca? I to one oi said parts, said valve being further characterised as. formed with an air chamber, a vacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber, air and vacuum ports iorthe' respective communication of the first two chambers with the third, valve means controlled by relative movement or said two parts for alternately opening and closing said ports, means biasing the' valve means to open the vacuum port, and means responsive to the pressure in the controlled pressure chamber ior opposing movement of said operating linkage, a vacuum. suspended vacuum,

power cylinder operably connectedto said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from i said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions oi. the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts, and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one of said parts, said valve being further characterized as formed with an air chamber, a vacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber, air and vacuum ports for the respective communication oi the first two chambers with the third, valve means controlled by relative movement of said two parts for alternately opening and closing said ports, means biasing the valve means to open the vacuum port, and means responsive to the pressure in the controlled pressure chamber for opposing movement oi said valve means to open the air port, said ports being arranged in opposed relationship at opposite ends oi the controlled pressure chamber and having annularly disposed valve seats, and said valve means comprising a pair of poppet valves having their outer faces urged against said valve seats by a coiled spring compressed between their inner i'aces.

13. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal, a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points'on said two parts, and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one or said parts, said valve being further characterized as formed with an air chamber, a vacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber, air and vacuum ports for the respective commu nication of the first two chambers with the third, valve means controlled by relative movement 01 said two parts for alternately. opening and closing said ports, means biasing the valve means to open the vacuum port, and means responsive to the pressure in the controlled pressure chamber for opposing movement of said valve means to open the air port, and said ports being arranged in opposed relationship at opm ite ends of the controlled pressure chamber and having annularly disposed valve seats, and said valve means comprising a pair of poppet valves having their outer faces urged against said valve seats by a coiled spring compressed between their inner faces and a coaxially arranged plunger upon which said valves are aiidably mounted and which is provided with spaced abutments respectively mgageable with the outer faces of said valves to unseat them.

14. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage. a vacuum suspended vacuun power cylinder operably connected to said linkage. a brake pedal. a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linklddvacuumbrakingsystemcomprisingbrake operating linkage. a vacuum-suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage.abrakepedal.abrakerodextendngfrom saidpedalandoperablyconnectedtosaidlinkage. a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement. a valve lever pivotedatspacedpointsonsaidtwoparts.and

age. a valve carrier interposed between separate a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement. a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts. and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one of said parts. said valve being further characterized as formed with an air chamber. a vacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber. air and vacuum ports for the respective communication of the first twochambers with the third. valve means controlled by relative movement oi said two parts for alternately opening and closing said ports. m a biasing the valve means to open the vacuum port. and means responsive to the pressure in the conone oi. said parts. said valve being further characteriud as formed with an air chamber. a vacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber. air and vacuum ports for the respective com- 5 munication of the first two chambers with thethird. valve means controlled by relative movement of said two parts tor alternately opening and closing said ports. means biasing the valve meanstoopenthevacuumport.andmeansreggsponsivetothepressureinthecontrolledpressure chamber for opposing movement of said valvemeanstoopenthaairporhsaidlastnamed means comprising a diaphragm connected to said valvemeansandsubiectedononesidetothe trolled pressure chamber for opposing movement pressure in the vacuum chamber and on the other of said valve means to open the vair port, said last named means comprising a diaphragm connected to said valve means and subjected onone side to the pressure in the vacuum chamber and on the other side to the pressure in said controlled pressure chamber. said ports being arranged in opposed relationship at opposite ends oi. the controlled pressure chamber and having annularly disposed valve seats, and said valve means comprising a pair of poppet valves having their outer faces urged against said valve seats by a coiled spring compressed between their inner 15. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage. a brake pedal. a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage. a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement, a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts. and a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one of said parts. said valve being further characterizedasformedwithanairchamber.avacuum chamber and a controlled pressure chamber, air and vacuum ports for the respective communicalieu of the first two chambers with the third. valve means controlled by relative movement 0! said two parts for alternately opening and closing said ports. means biasing. the valve means to open the vacuum port. and means responsive to the pressure in the controlled pressure chamber for opposing movement of said valve means to open the air port. said last named means comprising a diaphragm connected to said valve means and subjected on one side to the pressure in the vacuum chamber and on the other side to the pressure in said controlled pressure chamber. and said ports being arranged in opposedrela tionship at opposite ends of the controlled pressure chamber and having annularly disposed valve seats. and said valve means comprising a pair of poppet valves having their outer faces urged against said valve seats by a coiled spring compressed between their inner faces and a coside to the pressure in said controlled pressure chamber. said ports being arranged in opposed relationship at opposite ends of the controlled pressure chamber and having annularly disposed valve seats, and said valve means comprising a pair of poppet valves having their outer faces urgedagainstsaidvalveseats byacoiledspring compressw between their inner faces and a coaxially arranged plunger upon which said valves are slidably mounted and which is provided with 44) one side of said diaphragm.

17. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage. a vacuum suspended-vacuum power cylinder operably connected to said linkage, a brake pedal. a brake rod extending from saidpedalandoperablyconnectedtosaidiinkage. a valve carrier interposed between separate f portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement. a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts. and

a valve operably engaged by said lever secured to one oi said parts. said valve being further characterized as having a controlled pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber. a valve plunger in the chambers controlled by relative movement of said two parts. and a diaphragm positioned at one axially arranged plunger upon which'said valves are slidably mounted and which is provided with spaced abutments respectively engageable with the outer faces of said valves to unseat them. 15 following sequence. an air chamber. a controlled side of one of the chambers opposite the other chamber. the valve being formed with a passage between theone chamberandthespaceonthe nearer side of the diaphragm. and said plunger being formed with a longitudinal passage between the other chamber and the space on the farther side of the diaphragm.

18. A vacuum braking system comprising brake operating linkage, a vacuum suspended vacuum 5 power cylinder operably connected to said linkage. a brake pedal. a brake rod extending from said pedal and operably connected to said linkage, a valve carrier interposed between separate portions of the brake rod comprising two parts having a limited relative movement. a valve lever pivoted at spaced points on said two parts. and a valve operably eng ed by said lever secured to one of said parts, said valve being further characterizedashaving,inaxial arrangementinthe pressure chamber, a vacuum chamber and a diaphraa'm chamber. a diaphragm inthe diaphragm chamber, and a plunger .oontrolledby relative movement of said two parts and extendinz through said chambers and connected to said diaphragm. the plunser beins provided with valve means alternately providing communication between theflrstandseoondandthe secondand third chambers. said valve being formed with a palsale between the vacuum chamber and the portion otthe diaphncm chamber on the nearer side of thediaDhrI-lm. and the plunzer being formed with a longitudinal passage between the controlled pressure chamber'and the portion of the diaphrasm chamber on the farther-side or the diaphragm.

EARL R. PRICE. 

